Snow conditions 11.4.2022

General danger level - Monday, 11. 4. 2022
Danger level is 3 on the European five-level scale - CONSIDERABLE.
Main problem: wind-blown snow, wet snow
Danger pattern: Cooling after warm weather / warming after cold
Danger pattern: Spring situation
Danger pattern: Crust covered with snow

Risk assessment
Avalanche danger due to the large amount of fresh snow in the high mountains of the Julian Alps is CONSIDERABLE, 3rd level, lower down and elsewhere MODERATE, 2nd level. Particularly dangerous are steep slopes where medium-sized dry snow avalanches will occur and areas with wind-blown snow, both on southern and northern slopes. Lower down, after cooling, the snow has bonded relatively well to the base, there primarily southern slopes from ridges and saddles are more dangerous, where crusts formed.

Snow conditions
New snow is soft, on sun-exposed slopes and in mid-mountains there is a crust on the surface in the morning, which softens during the day. Only in shaded locations in the high mountains is the snow dry and light. There are many drifts, both on northern and southern sides of ridges and saddles, new slabs have formed. The snowpack is strongly reshaped by wind. Surface hoar and faceted snow have also appeared, which can represent a weak layer!

Forecast weather development
Today, on Monday, mostly clear. Moderate southwest wind will blow. After a cold morning, it will warm up noticeably. Temperature at 1500 m will be around 2 °C midday, at 2500 m around -2 °C. Tomorrow and Wednesday partly clear, mainly some altocumulus cloudiness, some clouds will also gather along the slopes of the western and southern Julian Alps. Wind will be light, mostly westerly to southwesterly. Zero isotherm will be above the highest peaks. Thursday will also be sunny and warm.

Tendency of snow conditions
In the high mountains, conditions will be demanding in the coming days. Today, on Monday, it will warm up quickly, so midday and afternoon wet snow avalanches will start to occur. Some crusts will probably release as well. Avalanches will also occur on steep grassy slopes. The snowpack will refreeze overnight mainly in the high mountains, lower down very likely not anymore. Avalanche danger will be at least until Tuesday afternoon inclusive mostly CONSIDERABLE, 3rd level, in the high mountains of the Julian Alps, elsewhere MODERATE, 2nd level. Danger will also vary during the day: lower in the morning, during the day it will increase due to the influence of the sun and daytime warming. The next avalanche bulletin will be published on Wednesday, 13.4.2022.

Next issue: Wednesday, 13. 4. 2022

Source: ARSO